Window cornice and support



May l2, 1953 E. v. HEITLINGER ETAL wINnow CORNICE AND SUPPORT Filed July s, 194s 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Va, 6

lm mf, q Y Mmm M WH W, WJ .WNF e QJ T H. n E A if: 12, 1953 E. v. HElTLlNGER ETAL 2,638,152

WINDOW CORNICE AND SUPPORT Filed July s, 194s 3 Sheets-Shea? 2 O o o o /m m o 37 37 O o 4Z o o I o 4/ 53 ,l o o Iii@ 11 IA f l/ l 1 INyENToRS E V. Heitllnger,

\rv'm Fidds und BY Awreg u L I Mig May 12, 1953 E. v. HEITLINGER ET AL WINDOW CORNICE AND SUPPORT Filed July 8, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNI/{SNTORS E.V. Hefllnger,

BY `hv'mq Fds und ATTOR Y Patented May 12, 41953 WINDOW CORNICE AND SUPPORT Eugene V. Heitlinger, Irving Fields, and Alfred C. Ray, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 8, 1948, Serial No. 37,616

11 Claims.

Our invention is directed in general to interior cornices of the type often associated with draperies around Windows, and more particularly is directed to an adjustable cornice having improved mounting means for receiving both the cornice and allied appliances.

y Window cornices are often employed within structures such as a family dwelling to conceal the upper ends of Window draperies, as well as the mechanism of Venetian blinds, sometimes applied to the same window. These cornices are preferably spaced from the Wall around thevvindow to permit proper hanging of the drapes in such manner that the upper extremities are concealed behind the cornice, and should curve in approximately to the Wall at each end.

To obtain the desired decorative effect, the vertical dimension, or height, of each cornice must be Varied with the size of the window, in order to obtain a structure having pleasing appearance. In the past this has required that properly constructed cornices be built especially for each Window. Although usually satisfactory in appearance, these custom built cornices are expensive and the heavy, fixed construction makes the hanging or changing of drapes a diilicult operation. If Venetian blinds are employed on the window, the removal of these blinds for cleaning or repair is also complicated by the presence of a xed cornice.

A primary object of our invention is to overcome these and other defects in prior art devices by providing a cornice which may be easily formed to any desired height, which may be assembled from a plurality of pre-formed sections joined together in a novel manner, which cooperates With a simple, effective, and durable mounting device permitting removal of the cornice as Well as associated appliances, which is inexpensive, reproof and durable, and which retains its original adjustment.`

Other objects include the provision of such a device which may be inexpensively fabricated on high speed machines, which may be simply formed to t windows of substantially any length, which may be easily installed in a horizontal position, and which permits a limited degree of lateral adjustment to center the cornice over the window.

Other objects,`as Well as further advantages,

will be disclosed in the following detailed de- 1 scription and the appended drawings in which: Fig. l is a partially sectioned perspective view of an assembled cornice;

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned perspective cornice strip;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a locking strip;

' Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a clip receiver; =Fig. `5 is a perspective view of a cornice clip;

portion of a of a (Cl. 16o-38) 2 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a Venetian blind support; i

Fig. '7 is a partially sectioned plan view illustrating the assembly of the component parts of our invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross section illustrating a modified assembly similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and the clip shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating th assembly in operation. i

In brief, our cornice is formed from rolled strips of metal, plastic, or the like, decorated, nished or covered as desired, and having longitudinally extending corrugations, preferably with the convex face exposed to View when in use. The edge portions of the cornice strips are curved in a reverse bend about a longitudinal axis to receive a locking strip, the face of which is also curved to substantially duplicate the curvature of a single corrugation in the cornice strip. The requisite number of cornice strips are joined together by `locking strips which slidably engage the edges of the cornice strips to form a cornice of the desired height, the height being selected With regard to the height of the Window and its relationship to other adjacenty por-` tions of the structure. The assembly is then cut to the desired length and bent near each end to form laterally extending end portions normal to` a body portion, the length of the end portions being sufficient to extend into contact with the wall of the structure around the window.

To secure the cornice in position We attach clip receivers in the opposite upper corners of the window. Each of these receivers is: formed to removably receive Venetian blind support clips, as Well as slidably engaging a laterally extending tongue formed on a cornice clip. The cornice clip slidably engages the cornice and supports it in a truly horizontal position, this position being initially established by the position of the clip receivers on the window frame. Despite the rigidity and stability of our assembled structure, both the cornice and the Venetian blind With theirassociated clips may be quickly and easily detached Without the use of tools anclthe` cornice may be-moved laterally to some extent without adjusting the position of the fixed clip receivers.

, As shown in Figs. 1-3, our cornice is formed from'one or more elongated cornice strips l0 preferablyv having longitudinally extending corrugations (l l, or the like, formed therein. l Ordinarily our cornice is assembled in such manner that the convex surface of the corrugations I I is exposed to view and this surface of the structure is therefore referred to as the face, the opposite or concave surface being the back. Any desired number of corrugations i I may be formed. in each cornice strip depending upon the decorative effect desired.

Each longitudinal edge of each cornice strip I is bent rearwardly and inwardly .in a return bend, forming a laterally extending portion i2 and a tongue I3 defining troughs generally designated |4, facing each other. The laterally extending portion |2 preferably is positioned to expose somewhat less than one-half of a corrugation.

To join the cornice strips I0, we provide -a locking strip generally designated I6, shaped `to .engage the troughs I4 and to blend with the external surface of the cornice strips it! lin such manner as to make the presence of ythe locking strip I6 .apparent .only vto an attentive observer. The locking strip I6 may be formed of a material similar to that employed informing the cornice strips, .as for example aluminum, stainless steel, Monel metal, plastic, or the like and includes a convexface Il', the curvature and height of which is similar to the curvature and height of the Acorrugations I|. The longitudinal edges 2| of the face are bent inwardly towards each other in reverse bend, indicated at I8, forming a concave surface I3 shaped to mate with the face of the cornice strip Hl. Preferably the folded portions 2| contact each other along the rcentral axis of the locking strip I5 and are then folded to form rearwardly extending portions 22, the

depth of which is slightly greater than the depth of the laterally extending portion I2 on the cor nice strips I0. From this ,point the edges are bent to form diverging flanges 23 disposed in the same `plane which are provided at their extrernities with a trough 24 formed by a reverse bend in the material. The width of the trough 24 is substantially equal to the thickness of the material employed in forming the cornice strips I0, the entire strip I6 being formed in such manner as to slidably engage adjacent cornice strips I0 in the manner shown as in Fig. l.

It will be noted that the face of .the locking strip I matches the curvature of the corrugations II and is curved to smoothly .engage .the face of the corrugation V| I nearest the edge.

From the foregoing it may be seen that a cornice of substantially any desired height may be simply formed by locking together the .requisite number of rcornice .strips I0 with the matching locking .strips I6. The assembly may then `be bent near each end as at 26, Fig. 9, `to form end portions v2'|.normal to ka'body portion .28. The length of the end portions 21 is equal and selected to space the body portion 23 the desired distance from a wall. We prefer to form the bend'26 on ,a relatively large radius, thus providing a rounded corner of pleasing appearance. The bends 26 lock the cornice strips lll and the locking strips i6 in position and prevent shifting lof these components lduring handling 'of the assembly.

Both 'the cornice y-strips I0 and the locking strips I6 may be Vextruded or formed rapidly and inexpensively on suitable rolls in a manner yknown to those skilled in the art, or if desired may be formed in a suitable press or brake when smaller quantities are contemplated. The natural .finish ofthe material employed, which is .preferably aluminum, is ordinarily `suitablefor `most installations. However, if desired, vthe exposed surfacev may be dyed, painted, colored, plated, `coated or otherwisedecorated as desired.

Tosecure our cornice in position we provide a pair ofropposed clip receivers r2|),.oneof which .is

illustrated in Fig. 4. The clip receiver includes a plate 3| having a horizontal flange 32 and a vertical flange 33 normal to the plate 3| and to each other. B oth the horizontal and vertical flanges 32 and 33 are provided with va multiplicity of perforations 34 through which screws, nails or other fastening means may be inserted for securing 4the clip receiver v.23 yto the upper corners of a conventional window frame, indicated at 36.

The plates "3| include a, plurality of stirrups 3`| 4struck out from the plate 3| and aligned with the horizontal flange 32. Spaced angular tongues 38 are also struck out from the plate 3| and are shaped to receive and support a Venetian blind clip 39 (Fig. 6). The tongues 38 are preferably spaced downwardly lfrom the stirrups V35| andinclude :an innernormal portion 4|, an intermediate portion 42 Vparallel to the .plate 3|, and .an outer normal portion 43. The Venetian blind clip 39 ,includes a .support channel 44 adapted `tc .receive the rectangular upper bar of the conventional Venetian blind and a depending member 46, the width of -which is approximately equal to the distance .between -the inner normal `portions 4I of the tongues 33. Spaced tongues 4.1 Aare struck out from the rportion 46 to engage .the intermediate portions 42'of the tongues .38, .thus supporting the clip 39 at the desired height. It will be understood, however, that the tongues .4?! are not Anecessary in all instances and that :the channel member 44 may beallowed to vresten the upper surface of the tongues 3.8, Aif desired. A drapery hook 48, adapted to Support a drapery rod 49, may yalso be pivotally .mounted on rthe platel.

A cornice clip 5|, Fig. 5includes a channel member having a web 52 rand laterally extending edge flanges `53 of .sufficient depth to engage 'the back surface of the cornice `strips ID. Opposed curved tongues .54, shaped to engage the outer surface .of the trough ..24 of the locking strip 16 are struck out -from .the web 52 on the side of the web enclosed by .the flanges 53. A strip 5,6 is ysecuredto the opposite face of the web .5.2 and extends laterally therefrom .at .substantially ninety degrees, .the .dimensions `.of the strip 5|; being such that. it fits .snugly .within the confines of `.the aligned stirrups .31.

We 4prefer to add the .clip 5l to vthe cornice assembly prior .to forming theend portions A121 and to `slidably engage the tongues $54 with either the .locking strip I5 or the .edges of the cornice strip ill, depending `upon the .precise ,structure .of the curved edges O f .the components. The clip .5| may .thereby slide along the .assembled cornice strip until the desired `position is reached, Aat which time the strip '5'6 is engaged with vthestirrups 3.1. VSince the flanges 53 engage theback surface of the cornice strip, tipping .ofthe cornice is prevented. .The Venetian blind clip 139 .may be inserted in'the tongues '38 either before or after the cornice is hung and Ydrapes `may be disposed on the rod 43. When the `cornice.` has been' hung, it may be moved laterally as desired in the tongues 54 to center the cornice over the window.

Removal is of course accompl-shedsimplyfby withdrawing the strips 56 from .the stirrups Thedraperyrodl .may .then lbe removed andthe Venetian blind lifted from the .support clip .33, installation being .made preferably in .reverse order. It is not of course necessary that a Venetian `blindbe employed in kconjunction withour structure.

.From the foregoing, it .may beseen :.thatpur invention .attains the .stated objects. The V.clip

faccenda receiver is positioned by the window frame in a horizontal position, and permits removal of our cornice and all accessories without the use of tools, and without sacrice of either rigidity or stability. The cornice clips may be mounted on any of the cornice joints, thus permitting vertical adjustment, and may also be moved laterally if desired. The cornice itself isformed of inexpensive material by economical processes, is easily cleaned and decorated and is iireproof. After assembly to the desired dimensions, the cornice is rigid and durable, but" is .also light in weight and attractive in appearance. By virtue of its structure, rattling or loosening of the joints is highly improbable, the stability of the structure being enhanced by the flanges of the cornice clip which bear against the back of the cornice.

The foregoing detailed description has been made to illustrate a preferred embodiment of our invention as required by R. S. 4883, but it is to be understood. that this description is made in an explanatory, rather than a limited sense. We do not therefore limit ourselves to these precise details except insofar as they are defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A window cornice comprising a plurality of laterally aligned strips having longitudinally extending corrugations formed therein, the adjacent longitudinal edge of each of the strips being curved inwardly and exposing less than half of a corrugation on each said adjacent edge, and a locking strip for joining the strips together.

2. A window cornice comprising a plurality of laterally aligned strips having longitudinally extending corrugations formed therein, the adjacent longitudinal edge of each of the strips being curved inwardly and exposing less than half of a ccrrugation on each such edge, and a locking strip for joining the strips together, said locking strip having a curved external surface of similar contour to the corrugations and having its longitudinal edges rebent and curved inwardly and rearwardly to receive the adjacent longitudinal edges of said strips.

3. A cornice assembly -comprising a clip receiver having a plate and anges normal to the plate, said flanges being formed on adjacent edges of the receiver normal to each other and to the plate, aligned stirrups formed in the plate parallel to one of the anges, a cornice clip having a laterally extending strip for engaging the stirrups and a body having struck out portions spaced to receive a cornice and a cornice having a curved inwardly extending portion slidably engageable in the struck out portions on said body.

4. A cornice assembly comprising a clip receiver having a plate and flanges on adjacent edges extending laterally normal to the plate and to each other, stirrups formed in the plate on a line parallel to one of said flanges, tongues struck out from the plate, a Venetian blind support supportable by said tongues, a cornice clip having a member for engaging the stirrups and a body portion on an end of the member having struck out tongues, and a cornice having a curved inwardly extending portion slidably engageable under the tongues on the cornice clip.

5. A locking strip for window cornices having a plurality of laterally aligned corrugated strips, the adjacent edges of which are folded inwardly, comprising a metal strip having a convex face,

the edges of the strip being folded inwardly in a reverse bend following the concave back of the convex face thereof approximately into contact with each other and then curving rearwardly and laterally in a diverging path for sliding engagement with the adjacent edges of the cornice strips. i

6. A cornice assembly for use on a window frame comprising opposed clip receivers for attachment to the window frame, aligned stirrups struck out from the receiver, a cornice, a clip slidably engaging the cornice and a strip on the clip for engaging the stirrups.

7. A clip for supporting cornices having inwardly and oppositely turned adjacent edge portions comprising a channel, opposed tongues struck out from the web of the channel for supporting said cornice by slidable interengagement with the adjacent edge portions thereof the .sides of the channel bearing against the back of the cornice when said cornice and tongues are interengaged, and means for supporting the clip,

8. A window cornice comprising an elongated cornice strip having inwardly extending curved edges and a locking strip for securing a plurality of such cornice strips in lateral alignment, said locking strip having a surface for engagement with the outer marginal portion of said cornice strip, a rearwardly extending portion, and a ange on the inner extremity of said lastmentioned portion slidably engageable with the curved rearwardly extending edge of the cornice strip.

9. A window cornice assembly comprising a pair of laterally aligned strips having longitudinal corrugations and inwardly curved longitudinal edges and a locking strip: slidably engaging the adjacent longitudinal strip edges for holding said strips in lateral alignment.

l0. A window cornice component adapted for assembly by a locking strip in lateral alignment with an identical component comprising an elongated strip having rearwardly extending longitudinal edge portions, each slidably interengageable with one of said locking strips.

ll. A locking strip for maintaining in lateral alignment a plurality of cornice strips, each of said strips being provided with curved rearwardly extending longitudinal edge portions, said locking strip comprising an elongated member having an outer face, an inner face complemental to the outer marginal edge portions of the said cornice strips, a rearwardly extending centrally disposed portion disposable between adjacent edges of said cornice strips and oppositely extending lateral portions on the inner `extremity of the centrally disposed portion slidably engageable with the rearwardly extending edge portions of adjacent cornice strips.

EUGENE V. HEITLINGER. IRVING FIELDS, ALFRED C. RAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

